Comparison · Fort Lauderdale vs Tampa · United States
Fort Lauderdale vs Tampa
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: KeanoManu, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Fort Lauderdale for Fort Lauderdale Beach and canals and yachts; choose Tampa for Ybor City and Cuban sandwich. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 307 km (191 mi) apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 307 km (191 mi)
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Fort Lauderdale
- November–April
- Best time for Tampa
- March–May and November
Plan either trip
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Side by side
| Fort Lauderdale | Tampa | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Fort Lauderdale Beach, Canals and yachts and Las Olas Boulevard | Ybor City, Cuban sandwich and Busch Gardens |
| Best time to visit | November–April | March–May and November |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | US$220–380 | US$200–350 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 33°C (91°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 24°C (75°F) | January, 22°C (72°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 4 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 7 |
| Beaches | Fort Lauderdale Beach | Clearwater Beach |
| Airports | FLL, MIA, DJT | TPA, PIE |
Month by month
Going by our guides' own ratings, the better pick is Fort Lauderdale in June, August and December–February, and Tampa in May. Both are at their best in March–April and November.
| Month | Fort Lauderdale | Tampa | Better pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°C (75°F), 7 rainy days · best time | 22°C (72°F), 6 rainy days · shoulder season | Fort Lauderdale |
| February | 25°C (77°F), 6 rainy days · best time | 23°C (73°F), 6 rainy days · shoulder season | Fort Lauderdale |
| March | 26°C (79°F), 7 rainy days · best time | 26°C (79°F), 6 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| April | 28°C (82°F), 6 rainy days · best time | 28°C (82°F), 4 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| May | 30°C (86°F), 10 rainy days · shoulder season | 31°C (88°F), 4 rainy days · best time | Tampa |
| June | 31°C (88°F), 16 rainy days · shoulder season | 32°C (90°F), 13 rainy days | Fort Lauderdale |
| July | 32°C (90°F), 15 rainy days | 33°C (91°F), 17 rainy days | No clear pick |
| August | 32°C (90°F), 17 rainy days | 33°C (91°F), 17 rainy days · best avoided | Fort Lauderdale |
| September | 31°C (88°F), 17 rainy days · best avoided | 32°C (90°F), 13 rainy days · best avoided | Neither: both best avoided |
| October | 29°C (84°F), 13 rainy days · shoulder season | 29°C (84°F), 5 rainy days · shoulder season | Either: shoulder season |
| November | 27°C (81°F), 9 rainy days · best time | 26°C (79°F), 4 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| December | 25°C (77°F), 8 rainy days · best time | 23°C (73°F), 5 rainy days · shoulder season | Fort Lauderdale |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Fort Lauderdale for…
Fort Lauderdale Beach and canals and yachts. Fort Lauderdale is a beach and boating city on Florida's Atlantic coast, about 45 km north of Miami. Its wide public beach runs along State Road A1A behind a white wave-shaped wall, while inland the New River and hundreds of kilometres of canals are lined…
Choose Tampa for…
Ybor City and Cuban sandwich. Tampa sits at the top of Tampa Bay on Florida's Gulf Coast, with a compact downtown on the Hillsborough River, the historic cigar-making district of Ybor City and the long balustraded promenade of Bayshore Boulevard. Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium and…
Top sights compared
| # | Fort Lauderdale | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Lauderdale Beach and the A1A promenade | Tampa Riverwalk |
| 2 | Las Olas Boulevard | Ybor City Historic District |
| 3 | Water Taxi | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay |
| 4 | Bonnet House Museum and Gardens | The Florida Aquarium |
| 5 | Hugh Taylor Birch State Park | ZooTampa at Lowry Park |
Food compared
| Fort Lauderdale | Tampa |
|---|---|
| Smoked fish dip | Tampa Cuban sandwich |
| Stone crab claws | Cuban bread |
| Grouper or mahi-mahi sandwich | Deviled crab |
| Conch fritters | Spanish bean soup |
Which is cheaper?
Fort Lauderdale and Tampa cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly US$220–380 in Fort Lauderdale and US$200–350 in Tampa (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Tampa on a budget.
Fort Lauderdale or Tampa from the U.S.
Worked out from time zones and airport coordinates: straight-line distances, not flight routes.
| Fort Lauderdale | Tampa | |
|---|---|---|
| Time vs New York | Same time | Same time |
| Time vs Los Angeles | +3 h | +3 h |
| From New York (JFK) | 1,070 mi (1,720 km) | 1,010 mi (1,620 km) |
| From Los Angeles (LAX) | 2,340 mi (3,760 km) | 2,160 mi (3,470 km) |
| U.S. plugs | U.S. plugs fit | U.S. plugs fit |
From New York, Tampa is about 62 miles (99 km) closer than Fort Lauderdale in a straight line.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Fort Lauderdale and Tampa are about 307 km (191 mi) apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Fort Lauderdale and 4 in Tampa.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Fort Lauderdale or Tampa cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about US$220–380 in Fort Lauderdale and US$200–350 in Tampa (estimates).
+Is Fort Lauderdale or Tampa better for a first trip?
Pick Fort Lauderdale for Fort Lauderdale Beach and canals and yachts, or Tampa for Ybor City and Cuban sandwich.
+How far is Fort Lauderdale from Tampa?
About 307 km (191 mi) in a straight line.